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Tag Archives: London

London during the plague saw over 15% of the population wiped out with the two year period – 1656-1666. The bodies had to go somewhere and hence, plague pits were dotted over the London area.

Plague pits all over London

Historic Uk, have made available an interactive map of London showing the reputed Plague Pits. Gathered from various sources with a pop-up information box for each skull and crossbones link.

The burials places include :- Vincent Square; St Giles in the Fields, where the church’s own site gives information about the deaths; Pitfield Lane, Hoxton, was once home to a large plague pit; Queen’s Wood, Highgate; Knightsbridge Green; Bakerloo Line and Cross Bones Graveyard – known as the unconsecrated memorial to thousands of prostitutes who lived, worked and died in the area. The pit was used during the height of The Great Plague.

History UK, say that although there is little evidence of the exact locations of the plague pits, this information is based on various sources and is an on-going project, and as such they are always willing for information on any other sites in the area.

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Nunhead Cemetery – Frederick French Lloyd

Lloyd headstonecourtesy of Margaret McEwan

Ooops, I’ve done it again! But I have done a lot on my project this weekend, so thinking I need a diversion. I have had a couple of diversions lately, namely the headstone from East Ardsley churchyard, the newspaper article, and now I have another – a photograph of a headstone.

Why is it such a nice photograph? Why does it have information on it that I can read…..why? And why is he not called John Smith, that might be impossible, but he is not called John Smith!

He is Frederick French Lloyd and his tilting and damaged headstone in Nunhead cemetery, still retains some dignity.

‘In every loving memory of FREDERICK FRENCH LLOYD, devoted husband and father, who passed away 13th February 1953, aged 52 years. “Good was his heart and in friendship sound. Patient in pain and loved by all around. His pains are o’er, his griefs forever done, A life f everlasting joy he’s now begun. Also in ever loving memory of RICHARD LLOYD, devoted **** and *****, who passed away 27th April 1953’

The remainder of the headstone is covered by undergrowth but you can see part of another sentiment.

What relationship does Frederick and Richard have? Are they father and son, brothers or cousins?

Frederick French Lloyd was the son of Robert Horatio Lloyd and Emily nee Groombridge, who he married in the late summer of 1872, in the St Saviours Registration District of London and was one of nine children:- Susan, Annie, Margaret, Elizabeth, Harriet, Maude, Richard, Albert and Frederick – born between 1870 and 1901. At the time of Frederick’s birth, the family were living at 110 Brandon Road, Newington. Robert was employed as a Fish Porter, Susan and Margaret were ‘mother’s helpers’ and 19 year old Annie, she, ironed collars to add to the family coffers.

It was ten years later in 1911. that the family, now consisting of six people, lived at 1 Eltham Street, Walworth, London – a six roomed house. Robert was now classed as a General Dealer. Emily, who had been married to Robert for 36 years had given birth to 13 children with 10 surviving to the 1911 census. Susan, now ironed collars, Maud Pearl was an Ironer, Albert was a Printer’s Assistant, while Frederick was still at school

Frederick left school and started working ‘on the markets’, as a Costermonger – a street seller of fruit and vegetables. In 1920 he was living with his parents, still at 1 Eltham Street with his parents, according to the Electoral Registers.

He married Hannah Tobin in the March quarter of 1924 in the Southwark Registration District and they went on to have five children. In 1939, 1 Eltham Street is still home, but Frederick seems to be the head of the household, with his wife, Hannah also still living there as is Robert Horatio, but no Emily, as she had died in 1933 aged 77.

I think this now answers the question asked about the relationship between Richard and Frederick, they were brothers. We know where they rest but where is Hannah ……….oh no! is that another question to answer?

I wrote a short article about this resource a few years ago, so I thought I would give you all a chance to have a look.

A jointly funded project, Bomb Sight, has been created to map the London WW2 bomb census between 7 October 1940 and 6 June 1941, which had previously only been available at the National Archives.

Bomb Site map of London within M25

Visitors to the sight can explore the map by dragging, section by section which can be quite hard to find your way around due to the very large number of red circles – just shows how Londoners suffered, or enter a street or area. By clicking on one of the circles you can see what type of bomb hit the area. The read more section can sometimes give a lot more details i.e. current address, people’s memories and sometimes photographs

Take for example one of Londons tourist attractions, Buckingham Palace, within the period covered by the census over 25 bombs fell within the boundary of the palace or very close. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge also feared no better with over 15 bombs landing close.

Taking a look at the map, so that you can see all of the London are, it seems there was no peace for anyone inside the M25, even up to St Albans, Hatfield and Hoddesdon.

A drop down menu gives you the options of, the first day of the Blitz, street view, anti-invasion sights, 1940’s bomb map. Another menu gives you the option of seeing the first night, weekly or aggregate bomb census.

Why not grab yourself a cuppa, take five minutes and explore. It does not matter if you have family from the London area or not – I guarantee you will spend more time there than you planned.

It was Eton College that gave me the WW1 bug and one friend in particular imparts me with newspaper cuttings and snippets. One such newspaper cutting was given to me a few days ago and again has an Eton College link. It is a known fact that many of the young men from Eton College and other Public Schools left school in the spring and summer and by the autumn and winter had joined the the ranks of ‘the fallen’. One in five young men from these schools did not return. Information from a new book tells that King Edward School, Lytham was the hardest hit public school with a third of ex-pupils who went to war being killed. The National Archives has a graph detailing six public schools, the numbers serving, numbers killed and a percentage. Eton College had 5650 young men serving with over 1100 being killed. While Sedbergh had 1250 serving with losses of 251. Eton in this graph seemed to come off the worst. But saying that Eton seemed to fair very well when it came to The Old Etonians being awarded the Victoria Cross followed close by Harrow. Anyway, back to my newspaper article that features Eton’s first viii rowing team for 1913. Namely, Lindsay Campbell ; Charles Rowlatt ; Sigurd MacCulloch ; Ronald Backus ; Augustus Dilberoglue ; Richard Buckley ; Ian Napier ; Stephen Fairbairn ; Edmond Elliott. Only three of the first viii team for 1913 died in The Great War, firstly –

Augustus Dilberoglue – he was born on 13th January 1894, he was the son of Planton and Julia Dilberoglue who around the time of their sons death were living at The Lodge, 19 Southfields Road, Eastbourne. The family had previously been living in Cairo as Planton had been a Judge of the Native Court of Appeal. He was educated at Summerfields, Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he was when war broke out. He obtained a commission and later attended Sandhurst. 1915 saw him being gazetted to the 3rd King’s Own Hussars. Augustus served with his regiment in Shorncliffe, Ireland, with the BEF in France and Flanders and was KIA on 1 April 1918 nr Domart. He rests in Hourges Orchard Cemetery Domart-Sur-La-Luce CWGC cemetery. His Commanding Officer wrote that he had a very high opinion of him, he was a fine young man and would be a great loss. A fellow officer said he was of the finest character and a good friend. He went on to say that he did not think he had ever met a more morally fearless character and that his squadron and troop fellow officers all loved him. While at Eton he had been captain of his house and in his last year captain of boars. He rowed bow in the vii in 1912 and no 5 in the vii in 1913. During that year he also won the School Pulling with G W Withington. In 1914 he rowed no 7 in the Christ Church boat First Torpids. He was a member of the Cavalry Club, the Vikings Club and of the Leander Club. Planton and Julia lost another of their sons – Richard Nicholas Dilberoglue who was also educated at Southfield and Eton and Sandhurst and joined the Coldstream Guards. He was KIA when a shell exploded at his feet and he rests in Ginchy. He also had wonderful tributes paid to him. Richard’s medal card, like his brother’s give their parents address in Eastbourne, but Richards gives a previous address of Buckingham Gate SW1. Richard and Augustus also had another brother serving in the Welsh Guards, Pandeli Dilberoglue who survived The Great War and lived until 1952.

Sigurd MacCulloch (MacCullock) – Sigurd Harold MacCulloch was the son of John J and Matilda J MacCullochserved as a 2/Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders and died of wounds near Albert in 20 December 1915 aged 21. He rests in Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension. An address on his medal card tells that the family lived at 8 Caurtfield Gardens, SW7. The London Gazette for 4 March 1915 states that “The undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants” Sigurd H Macculloch’s entry had a note in brackets ‘(since died of wounds received in action)’. Sources:-De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour Ancestry CWGC Christ Church, Oxford.

Esmond Elliot – Was born on 25 September 1895, to Gilbert John Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Earl of Minto and his wife Mary Caroline Grey. Esmond like the other young men in this entry he attended Eton College and was coxwain in the Eton College eight in 1911,12,13. During the Coronatian year he was Page of Honour when the new King and Queen went to Holyrood. He served in the Scots’ Guards with a rank of Lieutenant and acted as A.D,C, to the Major General commanding the Guards Division in France. He Died of Wounds on 6 Aug 1917. A note on his Medal Card dated 7 February 1922 has his mother, The Rt. Hon. Mary, Countess of Minto, of 48 Chelsea Park Gardens, SW3, applying for her dead sons medals.on year, he was Page of Honour when the King and Queen were at Holyrood.

I first came across the person above while photographing memorials in St Mary Abbotts church in Kensington. I homed in on the war memorial outside after spending a wonderful time in Wholefoods – what a fantastic place and their cheese room is to die for!!

Cosens, H S F, who is he?

Harold Stanley Frederick Cosens, born 2 December 1889, the son of Frederick George Cosens and Fanny Louisa Ambrose who had married in Kensington in the spring of 1877.

Frederick was a Sherry Shipper born in Streatham in 1855, his wife was born in Marylebone in the same year.

In the census of 1891 the family were living at 8 Airlie Gardens, Kensington – just off Campden Hill Road. Harold was the youngest of three children. The family employed three staff, one of which was a nurse.

Ten years later in 1901, Frederick and Fanny still had three children but the number of staff had increased to four.

A further ten years on only one of the children is at home – 24 year old Winifred but now back to three servants.

Harold by the census of 1911 was a Second Lieutenant serving in the East Yorkshire Regiment and was one of 330 men and 80 women at Aldershot Barracks. We now know he was a career soldier. But his early had been at St Paul’s School and later Sandhurst Military College.

Harold was Killed In Action at Rue du Bois, Armentierre, on 27 October 1914, according to a number of sources,but the memorial in St Mary Abbots gives the date of 28 October 1914.

The medal card for Harold gives quite a lot of information. Firstly, his regiment and rank was confirmed. His date of death is given as 27 October. Other information is taken from Routine Orders, Staff Book, Disembarkation Returns and medals awarded. In March of 1918 F L G Coens, Esq., applies for the 1914 star in respect of his late son. Mr Cosens requested the medals address given 7 Observatory Gardens, Campden Hill. There are a number of notes on the card and one says ‘medals to’ 15 Vicarage Gardens, Kensington. One other adress is for F G Cosens, Esq., Beech Bough, Bacton, North Walsham, Norfolk. Harold parents must have moved to Norfolk as he is remembered on the village war memorial.

His Commanding Officer, Major M Boyle wrote of Harold “He was my subaltern and I never want a better, always cheery and ready for any work that came in his way, and to take on any hard job, even when out of his turn, as so often happened when I wanted a man I could trust to do any difficult or jumpy piece of work. I could not want for a nicer, more cheery and hard working officer to soldier with……. The exact circumstances are these. He had led his men to retake some trenches from the Germans and had carried out his work successfully, and was actually in the trench, doing a kindly act to one of the enemy, who wanted to surrender, when a sniper shot him from another direction. It is extremely painful to write thus, as it was sheer bad luck! My company are very cut up indeed. He died a gallant gentleman.”

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery nr Poperinge has a very special place in my heart, not only does my great uncle rest there but Nellie Spindler from my home town also calls Lijssenthoek ‘home’. But recently while doing a bit of research I came across another man whose final resting place is also Lijssenthoek – Conrad Hugh Dinwiddy.

I think his name sounded similar to a place we used to stay on our way up to Lhangbryde when I was a child, so what do you do, or should I say ‘I do’ but find out a little about him………you know the thing, who were his parents, where did he live and what did he do before joining the forces and who survived him. Here goes….

While waiting for a website to open I thought I’d try Wikipedia – lots of info there, not always correct but is somewhere to start and to my surprise there was not an established page for Conrad, there is an opening if any one wishes to start a page for him.

Here we go ! Conrad was born early in 1881 to Thomas Dinwiddy and his wife Eliza Charlotte nee Rooke (b. 1845 Marylebone). In the census shortly after Conrad’s birth Thomas was aged 37 and was working as an Architect and Surveyor (b 1844 Bristol). The family lived at 12 Croom’s Hill, Greenwich (now the London Fan Museum)– the road was home to other professionals and retired servicemen incl. William Rivers Retd., RN; Gay Shute, Surgeon; Thomas Creed(?), General Practioner MRCSE St Andrews Uni.; others include Stationers, Annuitants.

Thomas Dinwiddy is noted for having designed the main administration block (Grove Park Workhouse) of what was Grove Park Hospital. The plans were approved in 1897 and the foundation stone put in place 2 years later. The plans were presented at the Paris International Exhibition in 1900 and won a Diploma of Merit. One of the local roads is named after Thomas. In the early 1990’s the site was sold for housing development but Thomas’s administration block and a some of the original workhouse buildings survived. The site had not been listed by the local authorities. One of the buildings designed by Thomas did manage to get a listed status – Laurie Grove Baths including : swimming baths, slipper baths and launderies were designed in the mid 1890’s commissioned by the Vestry Board of St Paul’s Deptford under the Public Baths and Wash-houses Act of 1846. The building is of Jacobean style and still has many of its original features. A few other buildings by Thomas were Greenwich Board of Works Offices and Roans Girl’s College, Greenwich.

Ten years later, 1891, Conrad was hard to find on the census but eventually by just putting his year of birth +/- 2 and Greenwich as his place of birth he is found. He is at a school with some of his brothers in Walmer, Kent.

Another ten years on in 1901 the family are at The Manor House (?), Croom’s Hill – Eliza with her children, Conrad by now is classed as a student, and four servants but no Thomas. Thomas was in fact staying at the Adelphi Hotel, Ranelagh Place, Liverpool with people from all walks of life incl. George Herbert Lindsay of Edinburgh a Distiller; Daniel Shurmann a Merchant born in Russia. That solved that problem, so now forward a few years.

On 27 September 1909, Conrad’s elder brother Malcolm, Capt., Royal West Kent Regt., who had served in Singapore, married married Miss Laura de Satge, dau. of the late Mr Ocar de Satge, late member of the Upper House of Queensland. The wedding took place in Folkstone and Conrad was the Best Man with various cousins from both sides being bridesmaids. Guests included Lords and Knights of the realm and serving regimental Officers

The 1911 census finds that Conrad is now a newly married man. He had married Winifred O Pochin in the Autumn of the previous year. Conrad worked as a Surveyor employing a number of people and they lived at 76 Warwick Gardens, Kensington, a nine roomed house, with a number of servants and was a member of the RICS, which held a portrait of him.

Conrad served in the military and various entries in The London Gazette have him serving in various ranks incl. Temp Captain. But it is The Medal Rolls Index Cards that tell a better story.

Conrad initially served in the RFA as 157860. Later serving in the RGA as a 2/Lt., and now has no service number as Officers were not issued with a number at this time. He is later in the 13/Siege Bty, RGA as an A/Major, then Major, with a medal entitlement of The Victory Medal and The British Medal.

Conrad was the inventor of the ‘Dinwiddy’ Range-finder for detecting enemy aircraft – this was adopted by the War Office. He was also a Councillor for the Borough of Kensington and a known mountaineer.

C H was one of five children and had three brothers in the services.

Conrad Died of Wounds received on 27 September 1917 aged 35, leaving Winifred and a young son, Hugh P Dinwiddy born in 1912.

Conrads brothers – Major Malcolm J Dinwiddy, as we have already said he married in 1909. He served in the Royal West Kents and applied for his service medals in June of 1920. He died on 19 November 1925 aged 46 and had at least one child. Probate was granted to Laura Emily Dinwiddy, widow or Fairview, Osborne Road, South Farnborough.

Donald Dinwiddy, married Ella May Jones in 1909. He died on 19 February 1937. Probate was granted to Ella Mary Dinwiddy of Red Cottage, 54a Parliament St, London

Harry L Dinwiddy. Harry Lurwyche Dunwiddy married Ethel Maud MacArthur in 1903 and by 1911 they were living at 13 Pond Road, Blackheath with their son Thomas Lurwyche and a number of servants – Harry working as a solicitor. He was living at Little Paddock, White Beam Way, Tadworth when he died on 21 April 1950. Probate was granted to Thomas Lutwyche Dinwiddy, solicitor on 8 June of that year.

Conrad also had a sister – Dora, she married Stanton Freeland Card, a Royal Navy Instructor, in 1902 and by 1911 they were living with their three children and a few servants at Parkhurst, Westcombe Park Road, London. Stanton of 24 Crown Lane Gardens, Streatham died at Putney General Hospital on 6 October 1940 with probate granted in Llandudno on 2 July to Westminster Bank Ltd. Dora of Lawrence Road, Hove died on 24 March 1945 with Probate being granted in Llandudno on 20 December of the same year to Harry Lutwyche Dinwiddy, Solicitor.

Your family came from London, the South or the Channel Islands. You know they had children during the period 1939 – 1945. Can you find their birth registered in that area ? No !

Carol Sklinar copyright 2007

I found out the other day that during the early years of WW2 families, women and/or children were sent ‘up North’ for safety. As a result of that Wakefield had its population artificially risen, this lead to a rise in the number of births in the region.

Walton Hall, a maternity home in the Wakefield area had a great number of extra births with the addresses of the parents being London, Birmingham, other areas in the South and ofcourse, those families who lived on the Channel Islands, the only part of Britain to be occupied by enemy forces.

If you can’t find the birth you are looking for try looking in a wider area as they could have been Registered in a Yorkshire town.

Every year I make a point of visiting churches, homes and halls that are either not open or you have to pay to get in – I prefer to visit the wonderful places that are only accessible on very few occasions and have been known to plan my visits and routes weeks in advance.

I seem to have visited the local places on more than one occasion and to my disappointment there are no new places signing up to the Heritage Weekend Scheme in Wakefield. We have an array of wonderful buildings in the area so come on get organised, get volunteers an OPEN next year !

Bardsey Church C Sklinar 2007

Now, back to this year, bookmark these dates 8-11 September – what is open that we can go and visit:-

This brand new app combines an ancient map of Rome with today’s modern London map, showing you what the city could have looked like over 2000 years ago.

Did you know The Roman Temple of Mithras stood just moments away from where Bank Tube station is now situated? Or that the Amphitheatre – used for gladiatorial games – was located near St. Paul’s Cathedral?

Unearth hidden artefacts, listen to the hustle and bustle of the city, and step back 2,000 years as augmented reality video presents scenes of Roman London against today’s modern backdrop.

Streetmuseum Londinium is available TODAY for iPhones and iPads and is free to download from the iTunes store – the link on the right hand side will take you directly to the i-tunes store.

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Last weekend I spent a few days with my daughter in France. While we travelled in the Eurotunnel we noticed a sign promoting the Charles Dickens Exhibition in Hardelot, it was something new to visit so we may give it a go.

During Saturday we had taken our time over breakfast and then just pottered around – visiting the local Auchen, and then mooched around St Omer, ending our leisurely visit in a local bar having a coffee while we people watched. The coffee, now that was an event in itself as we waited 20 mins for it to arrive only to go to the bar and fine the person who took our order did just that took it but did nothing else with it. It was ok when we fetched it ourselves.

Later that evening we went to our local restaurant for a wonderful meal and a few drinks – wine for my daughter and Kir for me. After our meal we sat outside in the evening sun and chatted to a family friend. Isn’t it funny how things happen. As we all stood up to say goodnight there was a young couple on the next table, as we departed I used the phrase ‘like an asthmatic pit pony’ commenting on something said by our friend. At those words the young man grinned, I smiled and said was he amused by what I had said. It turned out he had been sat there working out where our accents came from – seems he lived only a few miles from us. That is not the first coincidence that has happened there, a few years ago I was walking back from the bar and chatted to a couple. After the usual where are you from etc., it turned out that she was my cousins wifes cousin – she is on my family tree but now I can put a face to a name.

Anyway, Sunday came and off we set armed with bread, meat and drinks to see the Castle at Hardelot. I think I was a little bit disappointed with the entrance, just the rather sorry looking stone posts standing with no gate or barrier and no wall to make an impressive statement. But we entered through the narrow passage and came upon a track with a few parked cars and open areas with picnic tables full of families having lunch – it was Mother’s Day in France. The dusty track lead to a country walk, a lake and ofcourse, the castle.

The neglected entrance did not give a clue to what we were to behold only a few yards away. As you walked through the shade to the stone walls you were greeted through the arched gateway with a brilliant white building as it was lit up by the brilliant sunshine. Through the archway neat lawns and flower beds stood out against the almost white stone walls and the circular driveway.

We walked up the side steps and paid our entrance and entered the world of Charles Dickens. I did not know that Charles had lived in Condette , just a short way from the castle. I also did not know, but then had never really thought about it but Charles spoke and wrote in French and had a French publisher – hence the exhibition.

What was on show, well there was a room display with family portraits, photographs and pencil drawings + items belonging to the family and information on his early life. There was his desk, what joy and frustration that must have know when Charles was writing his novels. There was also numerous letters in French and English to and From Charles and here is another strange thing. My daughter was looking at a display when I noticed a letter with its envelope – split so you could see both front and back. The franking mark was upside down and I turned my head to try and read the place name better – why I never looked a the address I do not know, but anyway, I thought it said ‘Wakefield’, only then did I look at the address on the envelope – Tadman St, Wakefield and the year was 1850. I will have to do a bit of research to see who the recipient was. But I have been told since my return home that Dickens was a friend of Gissing a local writer. Who would have thought that I travelled to France, by chance visit an exhibition and see a letter to someone in my home town.

Our visit, did we enjoy it ? Yes, I think we did.

Was it value for money ? Yes, I think 2 Euro per person for the exhibition was very good value for money.

What about parking? Parking and entrance to the grounds was FREE, so you could walk around at your leisure and finish with a picnic on the tables provided.